Follis of Constantine I, Thessalonica c. 324

Editor: This is a Follis of Constantine I from Thessalonica. It's small, unassuming, but clearly bears the marks of time and use. How do you see this coin speaking to its historical context? Curator: It's a potent symbol of the Roman economic system. Consider the labor involved in its mining, smelting, and striking. This wasn't just currency; it was a product of imperial power, demanding resources and labor. Editor: So, the value isn't just monetary but also a reflection of the empire's reach? Curator: Precisely. The materials themselves—the copper, the other trace elements—they all tell a story about trade routes, resource control, and the empire's ability to mobilize both for its own benefit. Editor: I never thought a coin could be so rich in material and social history! Curator: It makes you wonder about the hands this coin passed through and the transactions it facilitated. Its materiality connects us to the daily life and vast networks of the Roman world.